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Belltown businesses and residents furious over New Year’s Eve shooting

Over the past couple months, I’ve been called the “Mayor of Belltown” on more than one occasion and like you may be doing now, I laugh at the notion; however Mayor McGinn and I have had something in common the past couple days: our email inboxes are filled with emails from furious Belltown residents and businesses regarding the New Year’s Eve shooting.

I know this because I’ve been cc’d and bcc’d on emails to him and other government officials from upset Belltown residents and businesses.

People are upset about two things: the delay in media coverage, and the lack of recognition from the Seattle Police Department regarding the New Year’s Eve shooting.

I’ll take partial blame for the delay in media coverage complaint.

As I mentioned in Belltown’s 2011 Year in Review I decided to take some time off for the holidays and stay away from my email. I had the video and details in my email on Sunday, January 1st, but didn’t check my email. In regards to Belltown news, I’m usually the first to have something and local media often gets tipped by a reputable source — in this case, I’m the reputable source.

I finished the Belltown shooting story around 10am and updated it at 11:14am on January 3rd. KOMO posted theirs and cited my story at 12:51pm on January 3rd. KING 5 posted theirs at 6:56pm on January 3rd.

I’m guessing that the Mount Rainier National Park shooting and developments were getting a lot of the media’s attention, and gunshots in Belltown, which to some is a normal thing, wasn’t a priority.

That being said, Belltown is my neighborhood and my media responsibility; my apologies for not getting the story out sooner Belltown.

The next complaint from Belltown citizens and businesses is the lack of Seattle Police Department’s recognition of the shooting in Belltown.

People are upset that it didn’t make the Seattle Police Department West Precinct Blotter and no formal statements have been made about the shooting — despite the bullet holes found in the woman’s shelter across the street that KING 5 reported, and a nearby club security manager going to his car to get his gun, then started looking for the shooters and firing back at them that KOMO reported.

I talked to two different police officials, one told me that due to the scrutiny the Seattle Police Department is currently under, they have been instructed to not comment on any case; and when I talked to another officer, I was told that the case is still under investigation and could provide no details.

As I tweeted earlier, I hear your frustrations Belltown, and like you, I’d like answers too; hopefully we’ll all hear something soon.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.